A fan-fueled rumor has set Star Wars fans abuzz: Could Marvel star Tom Hiddleston take on the role of Emperor Palpatine in an origin story? The speculation follows an announcement that Disney plans to reimagine Star Wars: Episode IX—The Rise of Skywalker (2019) in a new five-issue comic book series.
When J.J. Abrams brought the Disney sequel trilogy to a close, expectations were sky-high. After 2015’s Star Wars: Episode VII—The Force Awakens earned widespread acclaim, its follow-ups—Star Wars: Episode VII–The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019)—sparked heated debates that fractured the fandom. By the time The Mandalorian debuted on Disney+ in 2019, Star Wars needed a win. Jon Favreau’s hit series, centered on Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu (aka Baby Yoda), provided just that, offering a refreshing take on the galaxy far, far away.
Abrams, meanwhile, sought to tie up the sequel trilogy’s loose ends while celebrating the franchise’s decades-long legacy. The result? A divisive film that resurrected Emperor Sheev Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) as the saga’s ultimate villain. The Sith Lord’s shocking return—facilitated by the Sith Eternal on the desolate planet Exegol—was a polarizing choice, as was the revelation that Rey (Daisy Ridley) was his granddaughter.
Though some fans welcomed Palpatine’s comeback, others felt it was a forced addition to the story. In response, Lucasfilm has worked to expand on the character’s mysterious survival and cloning experiments through ancillary content like Dave Filoni’s The Bad Batch and Marc Sumerak’s 2021 book “The Secrets of the Sith.”
A Fresh Take on the Finale
Now, Disney is revisiting The Rise of Skywalker as a Marvel comic book adaptation. Set for release in early 2025, the series will feature new scenes that dive deeper into Palpatine’s role in the saga. According to Marvel.com, the project promises “the shocking return of Emperor Palpatine and more,” including new scenes not in the 2019 movie.
Interest in the mysterious, enigmatic villain has always been high. A fan-made viral post via The Sith Archives recently teased Palpatine: A Star Wars Story, an imagined origin film starring Tom Hiddleston. The mock synopsis describes a deep dive into Palpatine’s early life, exploring his rise from a charismatic senator on Naboo to Darth Plagueis’s dark apprentice. “Set during the tumultuous events leading to the rise of the Galactic Empire, the film will reveal Palpatine’s dual life… and the formative experiences that shape one of cinema’s most infamous villains,” it reads.
While the concept is purely fan-driven, it has sparked over 42,000 likes and 6,000 comments on Facebook, proving there’s an appetite for a Palpatine prequel.
What’s Next for Star Wars?
Despite the buzz, an official Palpatine origin movie isn’t on the horizon—yet. Instead, Lucasfilm is focusing on a robust slate of upcoming projects. At Star Wars Celebration 2023, President Kathleen Kennedy unveiled new films from James Mangold, Dave Filoni, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. Jon Favreau’s upcoming film, slated for May 22, 2026, will reportedly replace The Mandalorian Season 4 and lead the charge for Lucasfilm’s movie lineup.
Meanwhile, Simon Kinberg has been tapped to helm a new Star Wars trilogy, which could extend the Skywalker Saga into Episodes X, XI, and XII. On the streaming side, Lucasfilm is gearing up for the debut of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew on December 2, 2024.
With such an expansive roadmap, it’s clear that Star Wars is far from slowing down. Whether or not we’ll see Hiddleston don the hood remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Emperor Palpatine’s shadow continues to loom large over the galaxy.
What are your thoughts on a potential Palpatine origin story? Let us know in the comments below!
